Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

What is the most appropriate intervention for a neonate with increased heart rate and grimacing 48 hours post-surgery?

1. Obtain an arterial blood gas

2. Administer pain medication

3. Give sedation to calm the infant

4. Change the ventilator settings

The correct answer is: Administer pain medication

In a neonate presenting with increased heart rate and grimacing 48 hours post-surgery, the most appropriate intervention is to administer pain medication. Neonates often exhibit physiological responses to pain, such as elevated heart rates and grimacing. These signs suggest the child may be experiencing discomfort or pain following a surgical procedure. Pain management is crucial in this scenario to ensure the neonate's comfort and promote healing. Providing appropriate analgesia can help stabilize vital signs and reduce stress responses. Administering pain medication addresses the likely cause of the increased heart rate and grimacing directly. Other interventions may not be suitable in this situation. For instance, obtaining an arterial blood gas could provide information about the infant’s metabolic state but does not address the immediate concern of pain. Similarly, while sedation can calm an infant, it may not directly resolve pain and could potentially mask important clinical signs. Changing ventilator settings would be inappropriate unless there were clear indications of respiratory distress or needs that are not being met, which doesn't seem to be implied in this particular context.